A calling to Minster to Others
The question comes up some time along ones path “Should I stay in the closet, or come out into the open?” This is a very personal question that isn’t answered lightly. There are many factors to take into account in making this type of commitment. Coming out into the open and supporting the local Pagan Community takes a commitment that is serious and far reaching. As you become more active and open in the community, more is expected of you by the deities you fallow. Some of the attributes that can develop is a caring for fellow pagans around you. Due to the diversity of a Pagan Path you are required to be tolerance of others. Especially in a Pagan Community not everyone fallows the same path or even the same rules. Keeping this in mind let’s look at what a ministry is.
Simply put to minister means to devote yourself to the church or religion you fallow, to help others and to study the scriptures or doctrine of your faith. Now not all ministers are ordained or feel the need to be ordained. In some paths everyone ministers (spread the word, lay minster). Notable in this way is the Church of Jesses Christ and Latter Day Saints along with some Pena costal Churches. The membership is expected to spread the word throughout the land as part of being a member of the church. So what does this have to do with being Pagan or Wiccan?
Some feel the need to give back to the community, to help others and fill a need. These individuals have studied long and gone through Levels in some cases to become a leader in their faith or path. They feel a strong need or calling to help others many times above their own needs. They console others; stand by always ready to help and lean a caring ear. They are the ones that are there when someone needs help and they in many cases do not think that it is something special. They do not talk of their faith they live it each and every day. Most of the time they do this without any thought of recompense for their actions.
So not being a church so to speak why would one wish to be Ordained? When would this be called for and why would someone wish to make this type of commitment? Is it for power and fame, or is it out of a need to help others? These are questions each individual needs to ask before even complicating taking action. Many act on the need to feel special more than a calling when they seek being ordained. This dose the Pagan Community no good in the long run for these individuals self serving actions reflect on the whole in a negative way.
Many folks look upon a High Priest or High Priestess as a individual who is on a power trip or wishes to control others. This negative picture has been fostered by the News Media and many Christen Churches out of fear and misunderstanding. Jealousy from members also comes to play in the community, instead of supporting the good works some individuals wish to tear things down. Added to the fear from those outside the group these internal actions can undermine the best intentions. Another problem that arises is that of which path is best, many instead of embracing all fallow a strict interpretation of rules that can kill a group. If a group is open there are all these conflicting energy’s to deal with and focus in any group workings. Always there is someone that thinks that another individual should be not allowed to participate cause the individual doesn’t feel right o them. Then there are the folks that think magic can solve their wishes right now, and their wishes are the most important to the group.
So with all these negative results facing one, why would anyone in their right mind wish to become a minister, High Priest/Priestess, Shaman, or any kind of leader in a Pagan Community. It seems that one would be just setting themselves up to fail. Or at least make enemies of the rest of the Community. Now there are some that will think it is cool and the Hell with everyone else I am going to do this. Others will look upon other ordained folks as fools that do not know what they are doing.
The calling to do this can come to one many ways, which at first you do not realize that it is happening. In my case I had learned to be a consoler while in the service, it is a part of being a Non Commission Officer. In the time when I served you didn’t just console the service member but also you checked on his dependents. After twenty one years of doing this I had heighten my connection with others feelings, the problem was when to help and when not to. As I became more open about my path, I studied more and kind of thought that I was a newbie.
After a while some friends of mine asked me if I would do their hand fasting. I was honored and wished to make sure everything went right and legal for my friends. I made the decision to become ordained to give them a hand fasting. This was more for their sake so their path together would be off to a good start. During the few years since then I have preformed other rituals and hand feastings. I have counseled a lot of individuals on religion and life. As time passes it seems that I am drawn to do more and more. Looking back my calling came out of a desire to help others not for personal gain or fame. In fact most of the time I do not bring it up unless I feel that it is necessary.
The best ministers or individuals who are called upon seem to do it for others not for personal gain. But this is not always the case, sometimes the best fall to the praise of others. They become more engrossed with the fame and call of others. They lose touch with the Devine and soon forget how to be humble in thought and deed. The place of worship has to be bigger, they need a paid staff even some need mangers. More and more that which they have built takes on a life of its own. Much like a hungry cat it cries for more and more time and money. The problem grows eating away at that which was from the Devine. It comes more of what we have numbers of followers and money and bigger and bigger place. Becoming much like a contest of who is bigger than anyone else. Flash becomes more important than really helping others. Less and less of the funds drawn go to helpful programs instead goes to fueling the flash and pomp and wealth.
How does one go from being a vestal of the Devine to a tool of wealth? It takes consent inventory of one’s self and what are you doing. It is much like addiction to drugs, alcohol, and money. Fame can draw one into a whirlpool spinning out of control where the individual soon loses sight of what they were trying to do. This is the time when ones connection with their higher power has to stay strong. It is the only way you can avoid the pitfalls of power and fame.
Look at what is happening take the same care as you would when fallowing another. If your gut feeling says no then go with it, don’t do it. If your connection with your higher power is true you can trust you intuition on most manners. The joy of helping others and working as instructed by your Devine is a high that you can’t duplicate. But the fame can cause you to lose all that you have done.
Looking deep within your self are you up to long hours, small pay and the hurt of others along with the horrors they have experienced. Then possibly you are receiving a calling to do more for your Devine and others. You have to be strong and true to your path. Remember good consolers need consolers for themselves. Also listen to those around you for wisdom can come from anyone any age.
If you feel up to doing this and truly feel that you can help others then possibly you too have the calling to minster to others
